Author: William
Date: 2010-10-14 15:04
IMHO, a degree in "performance" is about as useful as a degree in "english". With either, to do anything beyond playing your instrument or writting a book requires additional certification or master's level training--and that's more time and money. As for learning to play your instrument, your money can be better spent relocating near a great teacher, taking private lessons and--instead of doing all of the "other stuff" a university level curriculum will require of you--spend the necessary quality time practicing your clarinet and making yourself the player you think you can become. And then, remember, nothing in professional clarinetistry is really a "done deal"--you must win auditions, hope your orchestra survies the current economy, attract lots of private students of your own or learn to make mouthpieces & other specialized equipement to sell (because you will not earn enough just playing with your group) and then be lucky enough because there will always be at least a thousand other clarinetists out there competing with you for the same jobs. And to teach at the college level these days often requires a doctoral degree.
I would advise doing what my cousin did, who was also, btw, a very good high school musician. Go to college, pursue a variety of musical activities and take lessons (he played bass with Chicago's Lyric Opera while attending Northwestern) but get your BM or BA degree in something you can use after college if you don't get the gig of your dreams. His was in business administration and he is doing quite well playing his instrument and supporting his family, finacially. Think about it--you may be really good, but so are a lot of others and no one is ever "the best" and in demand.
Sorry to rain on your parade, but that's somewhat the way it is "out there".
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The Clarinet BBoard
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